Why We Invest N9b in A’Ibom State – Investor

By Bernard Ndiana

The managing director of Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company Limited (JSM), Africa’s largest syringe manufacturing company has espoused on the reason why Akwa Ibom State was a preferred place for the multi-million dollar investment.

The Syringe Manufacturing Company which is set for inauguration in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State is located on four hectares of land in Awa Village. Upon commencement of operation in September, JSM plans to start production with initial capacity of 350 million units with a target to double this to 700 million units in the first year of operation and one billion units in the second year of operation.

Speaking during a tour of the factory, the Managing Director,  Zubeyir Gulabi, said the company will achieve initial yearly revenue target of $15 million and its ultimate goal is not only to make Nigeria self-sufficient in syringe production, but also a net exporter of syringe and other medical devices to other countries.

Gulabi said the foreign investors decided to locate the syringe factory in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State, particularly because of the enormous potential of the economy with its huge market and the investment friendly policies of the government.

According to him, Nigeria as the sixth most populous country in the world needs a syringe factory that can serve its domestic medical needs and help to conserve its foreign exchange in addition to helping the economy to grow by creating employment and additional source of reign exchange earnings.

“You know that investment and money are like a fly that can easily run but Akwa Ibom investment policy convinced my investors to come here. The main attraction is the policy making. The Federal Government is also helping fully by providing what we are asking for the sector. Nigeria has an important future; that is what we believe. This factory is not for the next two to three years, it is for the next 50 years and beyond,” Gulabi, a Turkish said.

He outlined that the company has been designed for scalable expansion and diversification of its products, noting that while it will concentrate on the production of the main product-Syringe in the meantime, the company could end up with about 20 products by the second year of operations.

He pointed out that the factory was built on principles of local contents policy of the government with two-thirds of the raw materials available in Nigeria and Nigerian and Akwa Ibom indigenes expected to form 90 per cent of the employees.

“Nigerian Local Content Act says 70 per cent Nigerian, meaning 30 per cent expatriates. But my board of directors’ decision is this: 10 per cent expatriates maximum, 90 per cent Nigerians. Out of this 90 per cent, minimum of 50 per cent will go to the immediate community where the company is located, 20 per cent will go to non-community members of Akwa Ibom state while the remaining 20 per cent will go to non-Akwa-Ibom Nigerians,” Gulabi said.

He said that while the company has devised its own marketing strategy as a private business, it hopes to benefit from the friendly policies of the government, including the executive order that prioritises purchase of made-in-Nigeria products by government institutions.

“We have known Nigeria for a long time. Nigeria needs this product; this product is a very strategic product for national interest. Nigeria is the main market and West Africa countries are the secondary market,” Gulabi, a Turkish, said.

He pointed out that contrary to negative impression about the security situation within the country, the company has enjoyed immense support from the hosting community, assuring that the company will reciprocate by contributing to the development of the community.

“We are in the oil community. The clan is very peaceful; all the clan has four neighbouring villages. This is their own factory; they see it like their own. We can go to the village alone anytime without security. We are much secured. On our contributions to the community, we should talk about this one after three years. Go and get a good picture of the villages now, after three years, I don’t think you will be able to recognise the villages. You will see these villages on cable television as the hub of medical devices,” Gulabi said.

7000 YOUTHS WOMEN HAIL UDOM

By Israel Ntiense

More than 7000 youths and a sea of head of market women have given Governor Udom Emmanuel an open cheque to continue in the implementation of all lofty projects earmarked b in the 2017 budget.

The teeming youths and women offered Governor Emmanuel their unflinching support during a surprise visit on them by the governor and his entourage during the tour of different locations of Akwa Ibom State Capital, Uyo recently.

Particularly at the popular Akpan-Andem Market and entrepreneurial village along Udo Umana Street, Emmanuel had a swell time of interaction with the market women, appreciating their zeal in pursuing meaningful economic activities at the expense of engaging in anti-society affairs.

Taking ample moments to exchange greetings and banters with women, Emmanuel notes with delight that the women have made remarkable contribution to sustenance of daily living, assuring that the State government was working towards the protection of their lives and property in the market. 

Accordingly, Governor Emanuel announced that there are plans by his administration to  carry out a design for the construction of the market to meet standards, regretting that the condition of the market was deplorable due to floods and erosion menace.

The governor remarked that it was impressive to notice that more than 90 percent  of the products and wares displayed for sales and distribution in the market came from small scale medium and micro entrepreneurial activities of residents in Akwa Ibom State.

He told the market women to continue in building the capacity of their children on self-help endeavours during the holidays to complement their efforts in maintaining homes, adding that there are several economic and social opportunities to explore in the state by families.

At the Ibom Plaza, Emmanuel who burst his way through the crowded photographic sales points to the podium, acknowledged the peaceful disposition of the youths inspite of insinuations by misinform individuals in the State, explaining to them that the state government has not abdicated it roles of catering for the youths.

Emmanuel, inspite of challenges on security agents to contain the crowd walked hand in hand with the youths to inspect the electronic score board for football live telecast, assured that the defects noticed would be replaced soonest.

An enthusiastic youths, Ubong Ikpe said the visit of Emmanuel to plaza was the first of such visit by sitting governors of the State, pointing out that it shows the level of humility by the governor to interact with people irrespective of status.

Ikpe states that Emmanuel has set records for other governors in the country to follow by visiting them and giving assurance of better facilities at the Plaza, stressing that the memory of the unscheduled visit would linger long in their memories.

A woman activist at the market, Mrs. Lovina Uko said the action of the governor to visit the women has demonstrated the five point agenda of political inclusion of all persons, adding that the women have been given the space to breath in political issues of the State.

Uko who deals on clothing, stated that the visit has helped in building the confidence of women as part and parcel of governance in the State; adding that the generality of the women feel secure supporting the present administration in acts and deeds.

 

Nigerian Navy Moves to Upgrade Officers' Skills

By Josephine Asuquo

The Nigerian Navy has taken steps to equip its personnel with requisite skills in war studies and maritime campaign following the establishment of a Naval War College in Ubima, Rivers State.
The College is headed by the former Chief Staff Officer, Western Naval Command, Apapa - Lagos, and an indigene of Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Christopher Udofia, is the highest Naval training institution in Nigeria.
  At the inaugural ceremony for Course 1 - 2017 participants of the college, Minister of Defence, Mansur Mohammed Dan-Ali, noted that manpower development in the military remains cardinal in federal government's renewed vigour to completely wipe out all forms of maritime criminality in the country.
  The minister commended the Nigerian Navy for giving priority to the training of its personnel, maintaining that the federal government will always supports any move to develop manpower in the military.
  " I enjoin you not to miss the significant, which is the fact that we are stepping into another year in the effort to keep the tradition established by our founding fathers." 
  With this sense of mission, the college courses of instruction are envisage to support the objectives of the Nigerian Navy training efforts, which is to enhance the capability of Naval Officers to make sound decisions in both human and management positions," the Minister echoed.
  Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-ette Ibas, acknowledged that the Nigerian maritime is strategic to her national survival and prosperity of her citizens, but “this status of the maritime expands as the economic hub of the Nation has brought about the unintending consequences of attracting criminals...."
  Vice Admiral Ibas admitted that several security challenges on land are fueled by proliferation of small arms and light weapons, must of which are illegally imported and smuggled through the sea.
While reiterating the commitment of the Nigerian Navy to end all forms of marine related crime, the Naval Chief said, " the focus of the Nigerian Navy's operation has not been to combat the known threats as well as redefine contingencies, but to meet the fluet migration of the threats."
  Earlier, Commandant of the Naval War College, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Christopher Udofia, disclosed that the college was established to develop the critical competencies of selected officers in the ranks of Commanders and Captains for effective command and managerial roles at the operational level of warfare.
  He said at the end of the course, participants should be able to interpret strategic objectives effectively while understanding the effect of diplomatic information, military and economic dimensions of national power on the planning and execution of naval operations.
  " The Naval War College would groom you through national security and organizational defence as well as inter-agency cooperation and coordination in maritime security. You would also receive intensive training in organization and management, war studies, Naval history as well as operational acts and maritime campaign," the Commandant added.
  Highpoint of the event was the inauguration of 15 pioneer participants of Course 1 - 2017 for a six-month training.

WHY WE CHOSE TO AUDIT ACTIVITIES OF LE-MERIDIEN IBOM HOTEL – GOVERNOR EMMANUEL

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has warned that endless criticisms and propaganda will not derail him from completing the auditing of the accounts of the Le-Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf resort.
He said that the essence of any investment is profit, and as such it was expedient for the government to assess the gains and losses of the outfit having invested heavily on it for several years.

Governor Emmanuel who spoke over the weekend during the monthly prayer meeting at Government House, Uyo said that the state took a logical decision of examining the return on investments after several years of putting up the hospitality outfit and making major investments in the outfit.

Governor Emmanuel said that the choice of a reputable audit firm, Price WaterHouse Coopers, was out of the intention for a standard and transparent audit process, which will afford everyone knowledge of the gains or losses in the firm.

He said the intention of Marriot to abandon the resort simply because the auditing process has started, is unacceptable to the state government and holds no water.
“I had a meeting with them yesterday(Friday), and I told them you are not going. I am going to take a trip to their regional office in Dubai and tell them that this marriage cannot be separated now.”

He said since the hotel management had reported that they have made no gains in the facility, the only ideal thing was for them to exercise patience and allow the auditing exercise to be concluded.

He said those who are complaining against his recourse to accountability and probity are making a mistake, as he is not ready to compromise his integrity on matters concerning the wealth of the people.
He said those criticizing him on the social media should rather ask themselves if they would invest their personal funds in a facility like the Le-Meridien Hotel for several years without asking for gains.

Mr Emmanuel who said he was guided by his conscience quipped, “when they say that the government is not giving money, I ask them, how can you keep giving money like that for several years, without any dividend?

He recalled his recent contributions to the hotel maintenance to include a 1500KVA generating system and refurbished the entire lighting system, refurbishing of the toilets, servicing of the cooling system among other renovations.
He said that the Management continued asking for money, citing its agreement with the state government, which prompted his decision to appraise the account of the hotel management.
He said he has had a fruitful meeting with the management of the Hotel and there is no cause for alarm .

“Mischief does not give anyone power, it is only God who gives power, he said, and urged his team to remain focused and dedicated to their responsibilities.”

The governor reiterated his resolve to realise his vision in the power sector, “it is my dream that we achieve in the minimum 24 hours daily power supply in at least five local governments, and I am sure we will achieve that, by the special Grace of God.”
He further revealed that, “Within the past two weeks , I have been able to move some equipment to Ekim in Mkpat Enin.

He said his decision was to make power supply available for at least 18hours, but expressed delight that people were already witnessing 20-22hours in Uyo metropolis.

A'IBOM SETS TO ESTABLISH TOMATO PROCESSING FACTORY

As part of his administration's industrialisation drive, Governor Udom Emmanuel has disclosed that arrangements have been concluded for the establishment of tomato puree processing factory in the state.

The governor who made the disclosure in Uyo, while on inspection tour of food crops and vegetable green houses set up by the State Government said the tomatoes harvested from the green houses and other parts of the state will serve as raw material for the factory.

Emmanuel said his administration was embarking on various agricultural initiatives with a view to crashing food prices in the state.

According to Emmanuel, "Right now we do not want to produce for export, we want to produce for local market so that our people can eat and eat well at a very affordable price".

He remarked that the high yielding seedlings cultivated in the greenhouse will also create wealth for the state, adding that already, the cucumber cultivated in the facility would be ready for harvesting in September.

"If you look at the quality of food we have here, every single naira invested here will be realized within a short period of time, the tomatoes were planted exactly one month ago and by September, we should be harvesting the cucumber.

"The whole idea is to transfer technology within a short period. 90 to 95 percent of people working here are Akwa Ibom people and by the time they will leave here, they should be able to set up their own farm", Governor Emmanuel asserted.

On the cattle ranch in Adadia, in Uruan Local Government Area, Emmanuel explained that the facility, which is expected to cater for 2000 herds of cattle arriving the state from Mexico, was a fully integrated cattle farm that will produce milk, cheese, meat, hide and skin for various economic uses.

He remarked that the special grasses intended for feeding the cows, have been planted in about 100 hectres of land, noting that the processed grasses will provide nutrition to the cattle, to ensure that the people got "better quality meat than what is in the market".
The Governor added that the ranch project is one of the many agriculture-based interventions of his administration aimed at reducing unemployment for Akwa Ibom youths as well as improve the lifestyle and living conditions of the people.

"Human growth is about the lifestyle, we are interested in the lives of our people from start to finish. In other parts of the world, people no longer drink evaporated milk, they drink fresh milk, so, as a good leader, you have to be interested in what your people eat. Leadership is about vision and creativity, this land could have laid wasted but the ranch will provide employment to a lot of Akwa Ibom youths. We also want to be the state that minimum of 80 percent of what we eat, is produced here", he enthused.
Earlier, the consultant of the greenhouse project, Mr. Cobus San Carlos, stated that the greenhouse provide adequate chlorophyll to plants as well as control the external factors that may negatively affect the growth of plants.
Cobus explained that the hydroponic system used in the greenhouses, was a cheaper way of cultivating high yielding crops which are not only nutritious but also affordable.
He applauded the state government for taking the initiative to consider the future of its people by putting modalities in place to provide well nourished and affordable food to people across the state.

Septbirthers To Fast And Pray For Akwa Ibom State At 30

The Septbirthers International, a social family of those born in September has declared a 30 day fasting and prayers for Akwa  IbomState, its  Government and people as the State turns 30 years.
  The decision by the organization to fast and pray for the good of the State which was reached at the Akwa Ibom State Territorial family meeting, was made public in a release signed by its Executive Secretary, Mrs Josephine Ebe, ACA.
  According to the release, “all Septbirthers are enjoined to fast and pray for one of their own corporate member, Akwa Ibom State born on September 30, 1987 as it turns 30”.
  The fasting and praying, the release stated, should hold from midnight to midday each day, from Thursday, 24th of August, 2017 to Friday, 22nd of September, 2017.
  The release also encouraged Septbirthers, as its members are addressed to give what they serve during the period of fast to the poor and needy members of the public in accordance with their mission reflected in their motto  “To Love and to Share”.
  Septbirthers in the release also advised members to participate in all activities that the State Government will put in place to mark the 30th Anniversary of the State.
  It encouraged members of the public born in September to join the International family in praying for the State.
  Meanwhile, the Organization invites all its members in the State to its next territorial family meeting on Saturday, 26th August, 2017 at the Country Style, 156 Aka Road, Uyo at 4.pm.

AKSG Float Akwa Prime Empowerment for Widows

In keeping with his avowed commitment to upholding the widowhood rights and ensuring their welfare, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has instituted the Akwa Prime Hatchery Empowerment Programme for widows in the state.

Tagged “Naomi initiative”, the programme is packaged for poverty alleviation, job creation and wealth creation amongst widows in the state interested in poultry farming.

Under the “Naomi initiative”, benefiting widows are provided with a starter pack, including a breeder farm, a carton of setter chicks of 3 weeks old, feeds, fumigation as well as other extension services to ensure sustenance and successful processes of the out growers poultry farms.

This measure which is a reinforcement of the widowhood rights as domesticated in the state, is also a means of diversifying the chain value of Akwa Prime Hatchery for increased productivity.

It would be recalled that, at inauguration of the factory on May 28, 2016, Governor Udom Emmanuel had said, the Akwa Prime Hatchery, will not only accentuate his industrialisation drive, but will provide job opportunities and create wealth for the people. The governor had, at the time organised free training for over 1000 interested poultry farmers and set-up out-growers breeder farms for 200 successful poultry farmers, along with feed mill.

Sitting on a large expanse of 5000 hectares of land in Mbiaya Uruan, Akwa Prime Hatchery has an incubator capacity of 56,000 eggs and production capacity of over 230,000 day old chicks per week.

With the success story at Akwa Prime Hatchery, poultry farmers in the state, who hitherto travelled to the Western states for supplies of day old chicks now have them at their door step. The factory is now the supplier of day old chicks and poultry meat not only for the people of the state but neighbouring states.